Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders won't be coming to the Dallas Cowboys.
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Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders won't be coming to the Dallas Cowboys.
Without question, Maxx Crosby is an excellent player, among the best pass-rushers in the NFL and well worth the consideration the Dallas Cowboys gave him in the past week, as the team moved to try to trade for him from the Las Vegas Raiders, where he has spent all of his stellar seven-year career. But the Cowboys had a price they were going to pay for Crosby, and the team held firm against moving off that price, with the Baltimore Ravens moving in on Friday to give the Raiders the two first-rounders they sought in a deal.
The Cowboys know well the price for an elite pass-rusher. They gave up Micah Parsons, after all, despite the fact that he is four years younger than Crosby, for a pair of first-round picks from Green Bay and a player, Kenny Clark.
Crosby, as good as he has been in his career, was not worth that package, the Cowboys felt. There is some logic there. Crosby has dealt with ankle and knee injuries each of the last two years, and while his determination to not miss games early in his career is commendable, there is a fear it will leave him more susceptible to injuries as he ages. Crosby has missed seven games in his past two seasons–not a ton, but certainly a concern.
Cowboys Get Credit for Holding Firm on Maxx Crosby
Generally speaking, the reaction to the Cowboys’ unwillingness to bow to the two-first-rounders requirement from the Raiders was met with approbation from Cowboys reporters and observers. The consensus: They made a good effort but refused to overpay.
Beat writer Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted, “Vegas was hunting down two first-round picks. Dallas made a strong pitch but weren’t willing to part with two 1’s. Baltimore ponied up and the deal gets done.”
Marcus Mosher of the “Locked on Cowboys” podcast wrote, “The thought of trading two first rounders forMaxx Crosby is gross. Just awful asset management. TheCowboys aren’t one defender away.”
Jon Machota of The Athletic added, “The Maxx Crosby dream has died for the Cowboys. They were never giving up two first round picks.”
And Brandon Loree of the “Blogging the Boys” site wrote, “The#Cowboys showed an aggressive approach in going after Maxx Crosby, but had enough restraint to know where their feet are and keep three first-round picks over the next two seasons. Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones have backed up their words so far. Next week should be fun.”
Maxx Crosby a Known Commodity
There is, as always, a counterpoint to the Cowboys’ unwillingness to move to two first-rounders for a Crosby deal.
The Cowboys certainly expect to get good, cost-controlled players with their first-rounders, at No. 12 and No. 20 this year, and wherever their remaining first-rounder lands next year. But it’s hardly a guarantee. Crosby, though, is a known commodity. Even with a knee issue last year, he recorded 10 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss.
Yes, Crosby is 29. But Dak Prescott is 32. How long does the Cowboys’ window of contention really stay open?
Pressure Now on Cowboys
We’ll leave with Clarence Hill of DLLS Cowboys who did not see the Crosby miss as a positive for the organization, but as a failure that ups the pressure on the team to do something with some impact this week in free agency.
Writes Hill: “All yall satisfied that the Cowboys tried with Maxx Crosby. Yall happy they didn’t give up two first-round picks? Will that help you sleep if they don’t get over the top again? Balancing and budget being practical certainly has its place. But don’t just try wit Crosby, let’s see some meaningful moves starting on Monday.”